Montgomery County, Maryland, a vibrant and affluent suburb of Washington DC, boasts a surprising number of ties to the ownership of local major professional sports teams. Beyond being a hotbed for passionate fans, the county is home to, or has been home to, the influential individuals and families who hold the reins of several beloved franchises across different leagues. From the hardwood to the diamond, and the gridiron to the ice, a closer look reveals the deep Montgomery County roots of the majority owners of these six prominent pro teams in the area.
Josh Harris (Commanders): From Chevy Chase, attended Rollingwood ES (an MCPS school until it closed in 1982) and then Leland Junior High School. He is the managing partner of the Washington Commanders, leading the group that bought the team for $6.05 billion in 2023. He also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
Lerner family (Nationals): The late Ted Lerner lived in Chevy Chase until his passing. His son, Mark Lerner, previously lived in Potomac. Their business, Lerner Enterprises, was founded in Rockville in 1952 when Ted Lerner borrowed $250 from his wife (Annette Lerner) to start it. Lerner Enterprises’ headquarters are in Tower Oaks, Rockville, Maryland. They are a significant real estate development and management company in the Washington metropolitan area.
Ted Leonsis (Capitals, Mystics, Wizards): Bought his primary residence, the historic “Marwood” estate, in Potomac in 2011 for $20 million. This 1926 mansion was once a summer home for FDR and the Kennedys.
David Rubenstein (Orioles): The new principal owner of the Orioles, having acquired the team in 2024 for $1.7 billion, resides in Bethesda, Maryland. He has lived in the Washington, D.C., area since 1975 and in Bethesda since 1985. Rubenstein is a co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm based in Washington, D.C.
Bonus: Commanders partners Mark Ein and Mitchell Rales also have MoCo connections.
Mark Ein: Was born and raised in Chevy Chase and went to Rollingwood ES with Josh Harris, noting they first met in kindergarten. He has named some of his holding companies after his Montgomery County schools, like “Leland Investment Co.” (for Leland Junior High) and “Rollingwood Real Estate” (for Rollingwood Elementary). Ein is an investor and entrepreneur, also known for owning the Mubadala Citi DC Open tennis tournament and the Washington Justice esports franchise.
Mitchell Rales: Owns Glenstone, a renowned private contemporary art museum in Potomac, Maryland, which he founded in 2006 with his wife, Emily Wei Rales. He purchased the land in Potomac in 1986, which also serves as his personal residence. Rales grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, graduating from Walt Whitman High School in 1974. He is also a co-founder of Danaher Corporation.
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